ChildTrafficking – Delhi Police Uncovers Wider Infant Smuggling Network, 10 More Arrested
ChildTrafficking –A major breakthrough in an ongoing investigation has led Delhi Police to expose a larger inter-state child trafficking network, resulting in the arrest of 10 additional individuals allegedly linked to the illegal sale of infants. According to officials, the latest action has also led to the rescue of four more children from different locations in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Those arrested include biological parents, alleged traffickers, middlemen, buyers, and the owner of a private hospital believed to have played a role in the operation.
Investigation Began With Undercover Operation
The investigation was launched after police received specific intelligence about an illegal infant sale near RK Ashram Metro station on June 5. Acting on the information, officers carried out a decoy operation in which undercover personnel posed as prospective buyers. During the operation, three suspects were caught while allegedly attempting to sell a newborn baby.
Police rescued the infant, estimated to be just four to five days old, and immediately initiated a wider investigation. The successful operation provided investigators with crucial leads that eventually exposed a much broader trafficking network operating across several states.
Larger Organised Network Comes to Light
As investigators examined financial transactions, communication records, and the movements of the accused, they uncovered what police described as an organised syndicate involved in arranging illegal adoptions for money. Officials said the network allegedly sourced infants through multiple channels before transferring them to couples willing to pay substantial amounts.
Further inquiries led to the arrest of 10 more suspects, including the biological parents of some of the trafficked children. Investigators believe different members of the network handled separate responsibilities, ranging from identifying vulnerable families to arranging transportation, negotiating payments, and delivering infants to buyers.
Separate Cases Reveal Disturbing Pattern
During the investigation, police identified multiple instances that highlighted the methods allegedly used by the syndicate.
In one case, investigators found that a newborn girl was taken away shortly after birth from a woman who reportedly did not wish to raise the child following her pregnancy. According to police, the woman contacted a doctor for the delivery, after which she left the medical facility without receiving custody of the infant.
Another investigation revealed that a newborn boy was allegedly obtained from his biological parents in Gujarat after money changed hands. Police said the child was later transferred to a couple in Panipat for a significantly higher amount, indicating that the network profited by purchasing and reselling infants.
Buyers Connected Through Middlemen
Investigators believe childless couples seeking infants approached members of the trafficking network, who then located parents prepared to give up their children. Middlemen allegedly coordinated the entire process, connecting buyers with suppliers and facilitating financial transactions before the infants were handed over.
Police have clarified that, based on the investigation conducted so far, no evidence has emerged linking the case to illegal IVF procedures or surrogacy arrangements. Officials said the focus remains on dismantling the trafficking network and identifying every individual involved in the alleged criminal operation.
Authorities are continuing to question those arrested and are examining additional leads to determine whether more children may have been trafficked through the same network. Investigators are also verifying records and financial trails to identify possible links extending beyond the states already covered during the investigation.